The Best Supporting Actress category is one of the most interesting at the Oscars as it is sometimes crowded and sometimes contains few but memorable performances. This year the category includes a number of actresses who have yet to win Oscars as well as others who have never even been nominated. Here is a look at five actresses who can either win their first Oscar or get their first nomination.

1. Rooney Mara - "Carol": It's not a surprise that Mara is on this list as she won the Cannes Best Actress award for her portrayal in Todd Hayne's new film "Carol." Mara first came to attention when she garnered her first Oscar nomination for "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" in 2011. She later went on to do solid work in "Side Effects" and "Her." However, a second nomination has eluded her due to the lack of showy parts. With "Carol," buzz is already strong and the Weinstein Company is making sure it gives the film a proper campaign.

2. Ellen Page - "Freeheld": It's been eight years since Page received her first nomination for "Juno." Since then her profile as an Indie darling has risen and she has also landed some big blockbusters such as "Inception" and "X-Men." However, she has yet to replicate a truly memorable performance as the one she gave in "Juno." In "Freeheld," Page plays the wife of a woman dying from cancer. Page produced this project and it has been a passion project for many years. If the movie is moving and it receives warm reviews at Toronto, expect this to be a huge awards player. Page should also walk away with another nomination.

3. Kristen Stewart - "Clouds of Sils Maria": Even though Stewart has lots of bad press, the actress has lined up a great resume in the past two years. Her breakout work in "Clouds of Sils Maria" proved she was a capable actress as she won the Cesar becoming the first American to do so. While this seems like a long shot the film did well at the box office and was a critical hit. Sundance Selects does not really do Oscar campaigns but if Stewart picks up critical support the actress could land a first nomination.

4. Helena Bonham Carter - "Suffragette": The two-time Oscar nominee returns in this British drama that has Oscars written all over it. From the trailer, the actress has a huge part that portrays her dramatic acting as well as her comic timing. Bonham Carter has long been relegated to the weird and witch characters and this role seems like it is tailor made for her to either get nominated or win her first Oscar.

5. Elizabeth Olsen - "I Saw the Light": Very little is known about this film and a trailer has yet to be released. However, Sony Pictures Classics is releasing the movie in time for awards. Olsen is said to be a supporting role and up to this point the actress has been solid in almost all her roles. The Academy owes her a nomination especially after snubbing her for her work in "Martha Marcy May Marlene." As a result, expect this actress to be at the Dolby Theatre this year.

Other actresses include Kate Winslet ("Steve Jobs"), Meryl Streep ("Suffragette"), Amber Heard ("The Danish Girl") and Jennifer Jason Leigh ("The Hateful Eight").